VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats (0-3-3 overall) get to turn the page Friday when BIG EAST Conference action gets underway at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Marquette (4-3-1 overall) will be on hand to help Nova open its 2024 conference slate.

"In our minds," states Villanova first year head coach Mark Fetrow, "this is that start of a new season. We haven't had the results we would have liked in the early part of the season but this is a chance to start anew in what we believe to be the most competitive soccer conference in the country. Our guys are excited for the opportunity."

Inconsistency has plagued Villanova in the early part of its schedule as it has adapted to 11 newcomers – more than a few of whom are playing pivotal roles. But if not for a bumpy 10-minute stretch in the second half on Saturday at FDU (a 2-2 draw), the Wildcats may have posted their first victory of 2024.

"We did some good things," Fetrow says. "We just have to cut down on the mistakes that can end up in the back of your net very quickly at this level."

This marks the 11^th all-time meeting in a series that dates to 2005, when the Golden Eagles were admitted to the BIG EAST. The Wildcats have won six of those clashes, including a 1-0 triumph at the Higgins Soccer Complex in the most recent meeting in 2022.

"Marquette has shown the capacity to score goals early in the season," notes Fetrow. "We'll have to be locked into the gameplan against a quality Big East opponent."

The Wildcats and Golden Eagles are both led by first year coaches. David Korn leads Marquette after spending the last eight seasons at Division II Maryville University in St. Louis.

Villanova has only played two regular season games on its home pitch in the first month of the regular season, so Friday promises to be a welcome return to friendly surroundings. The program will celebrate Faculty Appreciation Day as part of the day's events.

"We're so fortunate to be a part of this Villanova community," states Fetrow. "The faculty obviously plays a huge part in the lives of our players and we felt it was important to acknowledge that. This is such a special community at Villanova and we appreciate the way the faculty works with our guys so that they can excel both in the classroom and on the field."

This is the first of a two-game homestand for the Wildcats. Villanova will host Philly Soccer Six rival Penn – the previous school of graduate transfer midfielder Michael teDuits – at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Higgins Soccer Complex.